Team Snapshot
Record:
6-1, 0-0 Big 12
Streak:
Won 4
Ranking:
#22 (AP), #25 (USAT/ESPN)
Last
Week: def. Alcorn State, 56-44 (Wed.); def. SFA, 55-42 (Sat.)
This
Week: Wed. vs Sam Houston State, 7:05 p.m. (FSN Southwest); Sat. vs ULM, 7:05
p.m.
HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
"We've got a big week ahead of us again, Sam Houston State and Louisiana-Monroe. We're going into exams, so it's a little bit different schedule this time of year. I felt like we made some progress against Stephen f Austin in taking care of the ball, getting the ball inside, showing that we had a presence inside. I just thought we had more definition to our game-running, and under control-and were a lot more disciplined offensively and defensively. And that was good to see."
Is the outside shooting something you're concerned about or something you just kind of have to accept?
"You know, I think it was a problem they had last year at times. We lost two shooters in (Nate) Walkup and lost B.J. Holmes, and probably replaced them with one in Elston (Turner). So it's an area that going into the year, when I first got the job, I was concerned about. It's an area I have concerns about now, but we have to accept it and try to work around it the best way possible and get better at it. We've got some guys who are capable of shooting the ball, and they've got to get better at it because the quality of the opponent is going to get better. Stephen F. Austin missed some shots that Florida won't miss."
How much do you think Khris Middleton's return will help?
"The return of Khris will help a lot because it opens up the floor a little bit. People don't have to just focus on one guy. If you notice, Stephen F. Austin played off our point guards and really helped in the post. It's hard to hide two guys. With Khris it will definitely make us better in a lot of ways. Just his presence on the floor-our guys have confidence with him on the floor. He is a very good passer. He can get the ball inside. We expect him to make us better offensively right away."
How do you feel your man pressure defense has progressed?
"I think we've gotten better but we still struggle guarding the ball. We're not pressuring as much. If you look at Stephen F. Austin they only had six turnovers. That's a credit to the way they take care of the ball but also we can't bother a lot of people defensively. But we still have to get better. We had way too many baseline drives on ball screens, where our guards didn't do a really good job of forcing them into the ball screens. That was one of the biggest weaknesses in watching that game, that they drove baseline too many times. In the first half we rotated pretty good but in the second half we didn't rotate as well."
It seems like your defense has really shut some teams down of late...
"Yeah. I think the first half we really play well defensively. The second half there are lapses, some because we had leads, but also the quality of opponent that we're going to play is going to make it a little more difficult for us defensively. I'll know a little bit more about that as we see tougher people."
Has this team established its identity yet or is that still a work in progress?
"Our identity right now, without Khris, is to get the ball inside. With Ray Turner's play and David Loubeau, those two have been consistent scorers for us. I think that's going to continue to be an identity for us offensively. It will continue to open the floor up for us on the perimeter. Last game there was definitely more definition on how I want to play. I felt more comfortable because we ran under control. We got some easy baskets at times. We got the ball inside, and when we didn't we didn't just go 1-on-1. So offensively I thought that was good. And then defensively, we're just trying to take off from last year's team and build on that."
What do you expect to see out of Sam Houston on Wednesday?
"Another good Southland Conference opponent, a team that's used to winning. They've had great success over the years. I know they'll be excited to come into here. We need to play like we did against Stephen F. Austin. If we don't it will be a really, really tough game for us."
What's the timetable on Khris Middleton's return?
"I'll know a little more today, how much he practices. He hasn't done any defensive stuff with us, but offensively he's done some things. We're not in a rush. So if not Wednesday, hopefully Saturday we'll have an opportunity to see some action."
In terms of personally, are you feeling better every day?
"Yeah. Last game I felt great, the best I felt. It's been a great thing, I am getting better every day. Those who are praying for me, keep praying, because I embrace the prayer and embrace what God is doing in my life in this situation."